HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-13 Historical Commission MinutesrR
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes17,• i_"
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 5024 APR 16 Ail, 7:5a
Historical Commission
Date: 2024-03-13 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
Location: Lower Level Conference Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Virginia Adams (VA), Pamela Adrian (PA), Jonathan Barnes (JEB), Sarah
Brukilacchio (SB), Pino D'Orazio (PD), Amelia Devin Freedman (ADF), and
Christine Keller (CK)
Members - Not Present:
Samantha Couture (SC)
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Christine Keller
Topics of Discussion:
PD called the meeting to order at 6:42PM. PD made VA a voting member for the meeting.
172 High Street Form B
VA edited the Form B that the homeowner drafted, which ADF sent back to the homeowner.
PD reviewed the Bylaws and determined that the Public Hearing would occur at the RHC
meeting on May 8. The Bylaw requires that letters be sent to abutters, and at least one
letter sent to the homeowner by Certified Mail 30 days in advance of the hearing.
186 Summer Ave.
A Public Hearing has been announced for March 20 at 7:OOPM with the RHC and HDC to
review the homeowner's plans for partial demolition of the back of the house and portion of
the front porch.
Demolition Delay Process
The Demo Delay Bylaw Procedure was reviewed, and JEB proposed several revisions to the
Demo Delay Bylaw Procedures and the application form, including modifying the Procedures
document to reinforce the requirement for sign off from the RHC Chair on any applications.
JEB will work with Amanda Beatrice to modify the documents. It was agreed that the RHC
should take photos of all properties prior to demolition for archival purposes.
MBTA Communities Act - nothing to report.
Preservation Restriction Agreements (PRA)
ADF sent sample PRAs to William Finch, who attended our February 28 meeting to learn
more about the PRA process.
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Pleasant Street Center -
PD met with the developer and Town Manager at the site on February 23 to review
expansion plans. The RHC will remain involved in the evolution of the Pleasant Street
Center, as it is a Historical Asset for Reading. The 1883 Renaissance Revival building
originally housed the fire department.
New Homes on the Historic Inventory list - SB confirmed that the list has been updated.
RMHS History Award
ADF received two writing samples from the RMHS History Department for our consideration.
These samples were selected from senior honors students by the History Department. As
ADF knows one of the candidates, she recused herself from voting. A candidate was
selected by roll call vote: 2 (JEB, PD) - 1 (CK) - 1 (VA). JEB will ensure that the $250
award check will be issued before May 22.
Update on historical research into local houses.
SB is researching several properties to create Form Bs, and VA will assist with the
architectural details.
Charter Review Committee - nothing to report.
Community Preservation Act
PD proposed that SB be appointed to represent RHC with unanimous support.
Library: How to research Your own house
Jocelyn Gould, RPL, contacted ADF about participating in an event in September. RPL has a
resource on its website Tracing a Reading House: Original Date and Owner, and RHC has a
brochure on researching the history of a house. SB will lead an effort to update the RHC
brochure in advance of the September event at the library, and she and VA will speak at the
event.
RMLD Calendar
ADF solicited ideas for photos to be used in the 2025 calendar. RMLD typically contacts the
RHC in June to review Archive photos for the calendar. Ideas included Lobs Pound Mill, 186
Summer Ave., Camp Rice Moody/Mothers and Fathers Club, Jerry Nichols Tavern, Martha
Greenwood, Blacks Block and Old Hose House.
Future event displays
PA has collected feedback from the group and will get quotes for the new, vinyl banner from
Staples and Markarian.
Bowie RMHS donations
Donna Bowie (RMHS 1982) offered to donate RMHS memorabilia to the Archive, including
RMHS varsity athlete patches and certificates, and a 1933 Plonee yearbook. PD made a
motion to accept the donation, JEB seconded, vote 5-0. SC to notify Ms. Bowie, and CK to
send acknowledgment upon receipt of donations.
25 Haven Street - work continues.
Duplicate documents from Town Archive - nothing to report.
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Future agenda topics:
• Old Hose House - reference letter for roof grant
• 132 Summer Ave.
• Garden Club
• Managing the response to RHC inquiries
Finance/Treasurer's Report - nothing to report.
Review minutes from February 28 Meeting
JEB moved to approve the minutes as amended, VA seconded, vote 5-0.
PD made a motion to adjourn at 8:20PM, CK seconded, vote 5-0.
Next meeting: March 20, 2024, Town Hall Conference Room, 7:OO113M.
Joint session of Reading Historical Commission and Historic District Commission: 186
Summer Avenue Public Hearing.
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